Pivoting lock mechanism for a computer access cover

ABSTRACT

A computer cover retention bar (or lock bar) is provided that is functionally integrated with a padlock and/or Kensington lock setup in such a way that full closure via the padlock and/or Kensington lock will ensure that the retention bar, itself provided with detents or hooks that themselves act to keep the cover fully closed with respect to a chassis or body of the desktop or workstation, cannot be moved. This then ensures that the locking action of a padlock or Kensington lock goes a measure beyond the norm, in that a cover can indeed remain fully closed without, e.g., affording unauthorized individuals from prying open the cover.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to locking and coveringarrangements for computer desktops and workstations and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer workstations and desktops often contain highly sensitivecomponents and data that often need to be kept secure from unauthorizedpersonnel or users. Thus, the workstations and desktops often includeaccess covers with locking mechanisms to inhibit or prevent unauthorizedaccess.

In many conventional arrangements, a padlock or laptop-type lock (oftenknown as a “Kensington lock”) is used without the benefit of an addedsecondary or “backup” lock. However, even in those cases where asecondary or backup lock is included a rather cumbersome arrangement maybe afforded. For instance a padlock provision may be afforded to theaccess cover while a key lock is also provided in the cover. The keylock is helpful because the padlock arrangement does not readily preventa user from opening the cover sufficiently to still gain access to thecomputer components inside the cover. However, this dual arrangement canoften be inconvenient to manage, and leaves tremendous room forimprovement.

Other problems have long been noted with desktop or workstation accesscovers, in that the removal of a cover is normally accomplished solelythrough cumbersome and awkward physical movements and manipulations.Another compelling need has thus been recognized in connection withbeing able to remove a cover more quickly and efficiently, withminimized physical manipulation on the part of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, there is broadly contemplated herein the provision ofa computer cover retention bar (or lock bar) that is functionallyintegrated with a padlock and/or Kensington lock setup in such a waythat full closure via the padlock and/or Kensington lock will ensurethat the retention bar, itself provided with detents or hooks thatthemselves act to keep the cover fully closed with respect to a chassisor body of the desktop or workstation, cannot be moved. This thenensures that the locking action of a padlock or Kensington lock goes ameasure beyond the norm, in that a cover can indeed remain fully closedwithout, e.g., affording unauthorized individuals from prying open thecover.

In summary, one aspect of the invention provides an apparatuscomprising: a main memory; a system processor; a chassis; a cover whichis displaceable with respect to said chassis; said chassis and covercombining to substantially encase said main memory and system processor;a decoupling arrangement which selectively decouples said cover withrespect to said chassis; a linkage displaceably mounted with respect tosaid cover; said linkage comprising a receipt medium to receive aportion of an external locking device to hold said cover towards saidchassis; said linkage being displaceable between a first position,wherein said receipt medium is positioned to receive a portion of anexternal locking device, and a second position, wherein said receiptmedium is not positioned to receive a portion of an external lockingdevice; said linkage and said decoupling arrangement being operativelyconnected such that: in said first position of said linkage, saiddecoupling arrangement couples said cover to said chassis; and in saidsecond position of said linkage, said decoupling arrangement decouplessaid cover from said chassis.

Furthermore, an additional aspect of the invention provides a method ofremoving a computer cover, said method comprising: providing a chassis;providing a cover which is displaceable with respect to the chassis;providing a linkage displaceably mounted with respect to the cover;coupling the cover with respect to the chassis; receiving, at thelinkage, a portion of an external locking device to hold the covertowards the chassis, wherein the linkage acts to keep the coveredcoupled with respect to the chassis; removing the portion of theexternal locking device from the linkage; and decoupling the cover withrespect to the chassis and thereby displace the linkage from a firstposition, wherein the linkage is positioned to receive a portion of anexternal locking device, to a second position, wherein the linkage isnot positioned to receive a portion of an external locking device.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a computer system.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective front elevational view of a desktopcentral processing unit (CPU).

FIG. 3 depicts the CPU of FIG. 2 with a cover removed.

FIG. 4 depicts a cover from CPU of FIG. 2, with lock mechanism parts.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in perspective view, a lock bar.

FIGS. 6 and 7 provide a perspective view of a latch mechanism and lockbar.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of a latch mechanism in isolation.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective rear elevational view of a desktop CPU.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a cover with a lock bar androtating linkage.

FIG. 11 provides another perspective view of the cover of FIG. 10 (butwith a latch mechanism cover removed).

FIG. 12 provides a close-up perspective view of the rotating linkagefrom FIGS. 10 and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in theappended claims.

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein,may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the presentinvention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through #, is not intended to limitthe scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative ofselected embodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearancesof the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of different manners of locking and unlocking a computer cover,and of detaching a computer cover from a body or chassis to remove thecover. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details,or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood byreference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by likenumerals or other labels throughout. The following description isintended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selectedembodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent withthe invention as claimed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a block diagram of anillustrative embodiment of a computer system 12. The illustrativeembodiment depicted in FIG. 1 may be a notebook computer system, such asone of the ThinkPad® series of personal computers sold by Lenovo (US)Inc. of Morrisville, N.C., however, as will become apparent from thefollowing description, the present invention is applicable to any dataprocessing system, including a desktop or workstation computer. Notebookcomputers may alternatively be referred to as “notebooks”, “laptops”,“laptop computers” or “mobile computers” herein, and these terms shouldbe understood as being essentially interchangeable with one another.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system 12 includes at least one systemprocessor 42, which is coupled to a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 40 and asystem memory 46 by a processor bus 44. System processor 42, which maycomprise one of the AMD™ line of processors produced by AMD Corporationor a processor produced by Intel Corporation, is a general-purposeprocessor that executes boot code 41 stored within ROM 40 at power-onand thereafter processes data under the control of operating system andapplication software stored in system memory 46. System processor 42 iscoupled via processor bus 44 and host bridge 48 to Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) local bus 50.

PCI local bus 50 supports the attachment of a number of devices,including adapters and bridges. Among these devices is network adapter66, which interfaces computer system 12 to a LAN, and graphics adapter68, which interfaces computer system 12 to display 69. Communication onPCI local bus 50 is governed by local PCI controller 52, which is inturn coupled to non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) 56 via memorybus 54. Local PCI controller 52 can be coupled to additional buses anddevices via a second host bridge 60.

Computer system 12 further includes Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)bus 62, which is coupled to PCI local bus 50 by ISA bridge 64. Coupledto ISA bus 62 is an input/output (I/O) controller 70, which controlscommunication between computer system 12 and attached peripheral devicessuch as a keyboard and mouse. In addition, I/O controller 70 supportsexternal communication by computer system 12 via serial and parallelports. A disk controller 72 is in communication with a disk drive 200.Of course, it should be appreciated that the system 12 may be built withdifferent chip sets and a different bus structure, as well as with anyother suitable substitute components, while providing comparable oranalogous functions to those discussed above.

As further shown schematically in FIG. 1, system 12 may be encased in asystem chassis and cover (jointly indicated at 152/154), the compositionand functioning of which will be better understood from furtherdiscussion herebelow.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective front elevational view of a desktopcentral processing unit (CPU) 250 in accordance with a presentlypreferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a cover 254,which more or less extends over a single planar surface of CPU 250, isintegrated with a body or chassis 252. As is known, the cover 254 may behingedly engaged with chassis 252 in such a way that it can pivot withrespect to chassis 252; however, the hinged connection may be of adetachable variety whereby translational movement of the cover 254 withrespect to the chassis 252 would disengage the former from the latter.Such hinged connections are well-known to those of ordinary skill in thecomputer arts and will not be further detailed herein.

Further shown in FIG. 2 is a latch mechanism 256 which, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, facilitatesremoval of the cover 254 from chassis 252. This will be described ingreater detail herebelow.

FIG. 3 depicts CPU 250 of FIG. 2 with the cover (254) removed. As shown,chassis 252 may be provided with slots 258 configured to receive hooksor detents of a lock bar (to be described further herebelow).

FIG. 4 depicts cover 254 semi-transparently (for the purposes of clearerillustration) along with other components. As shown, latch mechanism 256as a whole may preferably be recessed with respect to the outer surfaceof cover 254. Preferably, a decorative handle portion 262 will bestationary with respective to cover 254 and will essentially serve as amounting support for a release handle 260 (which alternatively may betermed a “handle”, “release latch” or a “latch”). Handle 260 ispreferably mounted to displace vertically (with respect to the drawing)in a manner to displace a lock bar 264, via an interaction of camsurfaces to be better understood herebelow. Also shown in FIG. 4 is akey lock 261 that is recessed in decorative handle portion 262. This maypreferably be a standard, rotatable key lock; conventionally, such keylocks have been employed to selectively decouple a cover from a chassis.However, as will be appreciated further below, key lock 261 preferablyassumes here an expanded function.

Lock bar 264, for its part, is shown in isolation in FIG. 5. As shown,lock bar 264 preferably includes hooks or detents 266 that engage withslots 258 of the chassis 252 (see FIG. 3). Also shown in FIG. 5 is a camsurface 268 which enables the lock bar 264 to be displacedtranslationally, in a direction parallel to its longitudinal (i.e.,longest) dimension.

FIGS. 6 and 7 provide a perspective view of latch mechanism componentsand lock bar 264; both drawings will now be referenced jointly. Asshown, latch or handle 260 is slidably mounted in a mounting plate 276that essentially constitutes the rearward side of the decorative handle262 (see FIG. 4). Mounting plate 276 preferably includes flanges andribs configured for guiding the sliding movement of latch 260; two suchribs are indicated at 276 a, and these immediately and snugly flank acentral portion of latch 260. Preferably, latch 260 includes a camsurface (not shown here) configured for contacting and interacting withcam surface 268 of lock bar 264 as latch 260 is displaced towards lockbar 264. More particularly, as latch 260 is displaced in the directionof the arrow pointing downward and to the right in FIG. 6, theaforementioned interaction of cam surfaces will ensure that lock bar 264is displaced towards the left in FIG. 6 (as indicated by a secondarrow). Accordingly, this will release hooks/detents 266 from chassisslots (e.g., slots 258 shown in FIG. 3) such that the cover will now beable to be removed from the chassis.

It will be appreciated that this is accomplished by way of a quick andeasy physical manipulation on the part of the user, whereby the userneed only pull on the release latch 260 and then, essentially employingthe same gripping action, remove the cover away from the chassis. Thisis in stark contrast to conventional arrangements where, e.g., once acover is unlocked from a chassis via a key lock, a more cumbersome andinconvenient physical manipulation needs to be undertaken to separatethe cover from the chassis; here, by virtue of the release latch 260which can be pulled by a user's fingers while they are inserted into arecess in the cover (see especially the decorative handle 262 in FIG. 4,which includes a large recessed portion with respect to cover 254), itbecomes much easier to physically support the cover with one's fingersor hand, and removing the cover from the chassis can even beaccomplished solely with one hand.

As further shown, key lock 261 may preferably be provided with anextension 261 a that is fixed with respect to a remainder of key lock261. To lock the cover with respect to the chassis, as shown in FIG. 7,if a key is inserted in key lock 261 to then rotate key lock 261, e.g.,about 90 degrees (here, in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow),extension 261 a will preferably travel with it. Latch 260, for its part,will preferably be provided with its own extension 260 a that presents asurface which, when latch 260 is displaced towards lock bar 264, willcome into contact with extension 261 a of key lock 261, therebypreventing further displacement of latch 260 towards lock bar 264. Thus,inasmuch as FIGS. 6 and 7 depict an “unlocked” configuration, wherelatch 260 is free to slidingly displace to move lock bar 264, theaforementioned action of turning key lock 261, e.g., 90 degrees willhave the effect of preventing interaction of latch 260 with lock bar264, thus keeping the cover “locked” with respect to the chassis.

FIG. 7 also shows the aforementioned ribs 276 a; it should beappreciated that these will preferably ensure that as key lock 261 andextension 261 a undergo rotational displacement, latch 260 itself willnot be displaced out of parallel to its usual direction of travel.

As also shown, a pair of springs 280 preferably are connected betweenlatch 260 and mounting bracket 276 such that latch 260 will be biasedback towards a rest position once it has been displaced towards lock bar264. Further, a return spring 274 is preferably connected between lockbar 264 and a portion of the cover such that, after lock bar 264 hasbeen translated to decouple hooks/detents 266 from chassis slots, thelock bar will be urged back towards a rest position of its own.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of a latch mechanism 256 inisolation. In addition to showing the key lock 261 as well as the latch260 slidingly mounted with respect to decorative handle 262 (and, byextension, the mounting bracket 276 as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7), FIG.8 also shows a cam surface 178 which is configured to interact with thecam surface 268 of lock bar 264 (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). Preferably, camsurfaces 268 and 278 may be configured in any suitable manner to ensurethat sliding displacement of latch 260 easily converts to atranslational motion of lock bar 264 sufficient for decouplingdetents/hooks 266 from chassis slots 258 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 9 provides a perspective rear elevational view of desktop CPU 250.Cover 254, chassis 252 and latch mechanism 256 are once again depicted;however, also shown is a padlock hasp 280 and laptop lock slot 282 whosemakeup and functioning will be discussed in more detail herebelow.Generally, as well known, a padlock hasp serves to secure a cover to achassis at best superficially, in that a padlock inserted through thehasp does not necessarily prevent an unauthorized individual from pryingor peeling a cover away from a chassis (absent other locking or securingarrangements). Accordingly, it is known to accompany a padlock hasplocking arrangement with a key locking arrangement. However, these twoseparate systems can be cumbersome to handle in conventional settings.

On the other hand, a laptop lock or Kensington lock acts in such a waythat a locking cylinder that is integral with a cable (neither of whichare shown here) has an extension for insertion into a slot such as thatindicated at 282. This extension, as well known, then can serve tosecure the cover to the chassis; further, the cable can be looped arounda stationary object to ensure that the CPU as a whole cannot easily beremoved. But, as with conventional padlock arrangements (as justdiscussed), the mere provision of a laptop/Kensington lock does not onits own preclude an unauthorized individual for prying a portion of acover away from a chassis.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a cover with a lock bar androtating linkage, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown a latch mechanism may be covered with itsown cover 256 a and may interact with a lock bar in a similar manner asdiscussed hereabove, or may interact with it in another way. Indicatedat 284 is a rotating linkage disposed adjacent the slot 282 and ispreferably integral with a padlock hasp 280 (see FIG. 9).

FIG. 11 provides another perspective view of the cover of FIG. 10, butwith the latch mechanism cover 256 a removed, while FIG. 12 provides aclose-up perspective view of the rotating linkage from FIGS. 10 and 11.Again, it should be understood that latch mechanism 256 could havesimilar components as discussed heretofore with regard to FIGS. 2-8, orpotentially could include other components. FIGS. 10-12 will now bereferred to jointly.

Preferably, rotating linkage 284 is a separate component from lock bar264. Linkage 284, as shown, preferably includes a padlock hasp 280directly integrated therewith, and also preferably includes a flange 282a that presents an aperture that aligns with slot 282. The linkage ispreferably rotated about a pivot point (such as a shoulder screw) 296and, preferably, is biased via a torsion spring 286 towards a “rest”position as depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Preferably, when linkage 284 is free to rotate (i.e., it is not held inthe rest position via a padlock through hasp 280 and/or via alaptop/Kensington lock as inserted through slot 282 and flange 282 a), atranslational movement of lock bar 264, in a direction generally towardsthe left of FIG. 11, will cause linkage 284 to rotate in a clockwisedirection with respect to FIG. 11. Essentially, this freedom ofrotational movement of linkage 284 will ensure that lock bar 264 caneven translate to begin with.

As such, it should now be appreciated that if, indeed, a padlock isdisposed through hasp 280 and/or if a laptop/Kensington lock is insertedin slot 282 and flange 282 a, linkage 284 will be rotationally held inplace and will prevent translational movement of lock bar 264.Accordingly, this functional cooperation of linkage 284 and lock bar 264ensures that an engaged padlock or laptop/Kensington lock, by its ownmerit, will prevent an unauthorized user from even being able to pryaway a cover from a chassis, as detents/hooks 266 of lock bar 264 willnot be able to be disengaged from chassis slots.

Also shown in FIG. 11 are extensions 288 and 290 (provided here asillustrative and non-restrictive examples) which can help limit and/orguide the rotational displacement of linkage 284.

It should be appreciated that, with regard to the arrangements shown anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 10-12, the makeup and functioning oflatch mechanism 256 can be regarded as “generic”, i.e., it need notnecessarily be similar to the makeup and functioning of a latchmechanism as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2-9. Accordingly,a primary focus of the arrangements shown and described with respect toFIGS. 10-12, i.e., essentially the manner via which a padlock and/orlaptop/Kensington lock can serve to immobilize a lock bar such that,merely by virtue of the use of a padlock and/or laptop/Kensington lock,a much greater degree of physical securement of a cover with respect toa chassis takes place. By making these two locking/securing arrangementsinterdependent (i.e., an “external” system including a padlock and/orlaptop/Kensington lock and an “internal” system involving a lock bar),cumbersome physical manipulations involving two separate and independentsystems are fully obviated.

It should further be understood and appreciated that the padlock hasp280 and laptop/Kensington lock slot 282 (and flange 282 a) are shownhere as being together merely for illustrative purposes. It isconceivable, of course, to provide solely a padlock arrangement for“external” locking, or solely a laptop/Kensington lock for the purpose;they need not necessarily be provided together.

By way of additional background to better understand the functioning ofone or more of the embodiments of the present invention as broadlycontemplated herein, a slot for use with a laptop lock or “Kensingtonlock” (which slot is often termed a “Kensington Security Slot” or a“K-Slot”) is normally embodied by a small, metal-reinforced hole foundon a very wide variety of small or portable computer and electronicsequipment, such as laptops, computer monitors, desktop computers, gamingconsoles, and video projectors. It is used for attaching alock-and-cable apparatus such as those manufactured by KensingtonComputer Products Group (Redwood Shores, Calif.), and as brieflydiscussed hereabove. The lock is generally secured in place with a keyor other mechanical securing device, and is fixed with respect to(typically) rubberized metal cable that has a loop at its end forsecurement to a permanent object.

If not otherwise stated herein, it is to be assumed that all patents,patent applications, patent publications and other publications(including web-based publications) mentioned and cited herein are herebyfully incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their entiretyherein.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beaffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

1. An apparatus comprising: a main memory; a system processor; achassis; a cover which is displaceable with respect to said chassis;said chassis and cover combining to substantially encase said mainmemory and system processor; a decoupling arrangement which selectivelydecouples said cover with respect to said chassis; a linkage rotatablymounted with respect to said chassis; said linkage comprising a receiptmedium to receive a portion of an external locking device to hold saidcover towards said chassis; said linkage being displaceable between afirst position, wherein a portion of said receipt medium is positionedexternal to said cover to receive a portion of an external lockingdevice, and a second position, wherein said portion of receipt medium isnot positioned external to said cover to receive a portion of anexternal locking device; said linkage and said decoupling arrangementbeing operatively connected such that: in said first position of saidlinkage, said decoupling arrangement couples said cover to said chassis;and in said second position of said linkage, said decoupling arrangementdecouples said cover from said chassis.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said decoupling arrangement comprising a lock bar whichis slidably displaceable with respect to said cover.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said lock bar is slidable between a firstconfiguration, wherein said lock bar couples said cover to said chassis,and a second configuration, wherein said lock bar decouples said coverfrom said chassis.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidlock bar acts to couple said cover to said chassis at a plurality ofcoupling points between said cover and said chassis.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein: said locking bar comprises detents; andsaid chassis comprises slots for receiving said detents.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receipt medium comprises anaperture.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said externallocking device is a padlock; and wherein said aperture is configured toreceive a padlock portion.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said linkage comprising a receipt medium further comprises asecond portion configured to receive a laptop lock portion in said firstposition.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiptmedium comprises two apertures.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9,wherein one of said apertures is configured to receive a padlockportion.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein one of saidapertures is configured to receive a laptop lock portion.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein one of said apertures isconfigured to receive a padlock portion.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a biasing arrangement which biases saidlinkage towards said first position.
 14. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein: said linkage comprises a first contact surface, forcontacting said decoupling arrangement; and said decoupling arrangementcomprises a second contact surface for contacting said linkage; saidsecond contact surface contacting said first contact surface to movesaid linkage from said first position to said second position as: saidreceipt medium does not receive a portion of an external locking device;and said decoupling arrangement moves to decouple said cover from saidchassis.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said first andsecond contact surfaces comprise cam surfaces.
 16. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a biasing arrangement forbiasing said decoupling arrangement towards a position wherein saiddecoupling arrangement couples said cover to said chassis.
 17. A methodcomprising: providing a chassis of a computing device; providing a coverwhich is displaceable with respect to the chassis; providing a linkagerotatably mounted with respect to the chassis; providing a decouplingarrangement; and coupling the cover with respect to the chassis;wherein, said linkage and said decoupling arrangement are provided suchthat: in response to receiving, at a portion of the linkage external tosaid cover, a portion of an external locking device to hold the covertowards the chassis, the linkage acts to keep the covered coupled withrespect to the chassis; and in response to removing the portion of theexternal locking device from the portion of the linkage external to saidcover; the decoupling arrangement displaces the linkage from a firstposition, wherein the portion of the linkage is positioned external tosaid cover to receive a portion of an external locking device, to asecond position, wherein the portion of the linkage is not positionedexternal to said cover to receive a portion of an external lockingdevice, and thereby decouples said cover from said chassis.
 18. Themethod according to claim 17, wherein said coupling comprises couplingthe cover to the chassis at a plurality of coupling points between thecover and the chassis.
 19. The method according to claim 17, whereinsaid receiving comprises receiving a padlock portion.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein said linkage and said decouplingarrangement are further provided such that: in response to receiving, ata second portion of the linkage configured to receive a laptop lockportion, the linkage acts to keep the covered coupled with respect tothe chassis.
 21. The method according to claim 17, further comprisingbiasing the linkage towards the first position.
 22. An apparatuscomprising: a main memory; a system processor; a chassis; a cover whichis displaceable with respect to said chassis; said chassis and saidcover combining to substantially encase said main memory and systemprocessor; a linkage rotatably mounted with respect to said chassis, thelinkage further comprising a decoupling arrangement interacting portionand an external locking device receiving portion, wherein said linkageis configured with respect to said cover and said chassis such that saidlinkage is prevented from rotating when an external locking device isconnected to said external receiving portion of said linkage; and adecoupling arrangement configured to selectively decouple said coverwith respect to said chassis by rotating said linkage via displacing alock bar in a direction of said decoupling arrangement interactingportion of said linkage.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 22,wherein said external locking device receiving portion comprises one ormore of an aperture portion that is positioned external to said cover ina first position and is positioned internal to said cover in a secondposition; and an aperture portion that is positioned to receive a laptoplocking mechanism in a first position and is rotated away from saidfirst position in response to rotation of said linkage.